Nicola Sturgeon blasts Rishi Sunak over furlough for Scotland claiming there is STILL a lack of ‘clarity’ over whether plan to pay 80 per cent of wages extends to the country
- She attacked a lack of ‘clarity’ over whether 80% vow counted in Scotland
- English workers will get the payments for four weeks from tomorrow
- But ministers suggested it would not continue after end of English lockdown
Nicola Sturgeon lashed out at Rishi Sunak today over whether the furlough scheme for England’s lockdown will also pay the same to Scottish workers.
The First Minister said there was still a lack of ‘clarity’ from the Treasury over whether it will cover 80 per cent of staff wages, as it will south of the border for four weeks from tomorrow.
Ministers in Westminster yesterday suggested she will not get powers to pay 80 per cent furlough to Scots after lockdown ends in England – despite Boris Johnson hinting she would yesterday.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said it would be down to the Treasury whether the coronavirus support package continued after December 2.
Speaking at the Scottish Parliament’s Covid-19 Committee today, Ms Sturgeon said comments by the PM had been interpreted as meaning 80 per cent will be extended to Scotland but ‘the words 80 per cent have never been used as far as I can see by any UK government minister so far’.
‘That bit is really crucial and we do not yet have clarity from the Treasury on that,’ she added.
‘It is really important we get that clarity because it is important for planning purposes.
‘But frankly it is really important for individuals across the country who are worried about their jobs and their wages.
The First Minister said there was still a lack of ‘clarity’ from the Treasury over whether it will cover 80 per cent of staff wages, as it will south of the border for four weeks from tomorrow.
‘If you take somebody on the national living wage for example, the difference between 80 per cent and 67 per cent is significant, it’s almost £200 a month. These are real issues for people so I am hoping that clarity comes in the course of today.’
She added: ‘You can’t just have generous financial support for lockdowns when they apply to the south of England.’
Her evidence came amid reports that Mr Sunak had been ‘bounced’ by the Prime minister into ensuring money from the furlough scheme is available across the country once the national lockdown comes to an end.
The Chancellor is being pressured into carrying out the commitment in order for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to receive the funds amid the country’s ongoing economic struggles, it has been claimed.
It comes just days after the Prime Minister pledged to extend the Government’s furlough payments throughout November and into December.
An ally of Mr Sunak told The Times that the Chancellor had been ‘bounced’ into making a commitment that would allow any part of the country to receive furlough money.
They said: ‘It has huge consequences, both for England and the Union.’
Sources said that while the details were still being refined, the Chancellor wanted the ‘mechanics ironed out’ before it was brought to the public.
Another government source told the paper: ‘If regions have to go into lockdown in future, should they get the full 80 per cent wage subsidy?
‘The prime minister’s position on this is robust. The furlough scheme will be available in all parts of the UK.’